Eurocopter AS 350B3 "Everest"

Gertjan Zwart
As stated on the IPMS- review, the kit is based on the earlier Ecureuil versions of Heller. Careful study of the sprues reveal some surprises though, the main one being the fact that Heller actually changed the fuselage halves. They added an extra dorsal part to the tail bumper but also changed the surface structure on the engine compartment. The horizontal protrusions that were there on the earlier versions are gone and the overall shape of the engine compartment above the exhaust is changed too. Extra parts on the sprue are the long extra steps for on the landing gear. Heller instructs the modeller to glue these to the gear that's supplied in the box but that is wrong: the real life- landing gear with the extra step is substantially higher than the gear that's in the kit. The gear in the kit though is similar to the (probably due to weight considerations very basic) landing gear on the record breaking Ecureuil, so no worries there.
Other extras are parts that make up a 350B3- type exhaust.
The basic rotor head, the basic interior and the wrong instrument console have stayed and imho that's a missed chance for Heller.